The Wicked + The Divine #42 Review

The Wicked + The Divine #42

Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Jame McKelvie
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Flatter: Dee Cunniffe
Editor: Chrissy Williams
Publisher: Image

Review by Christoph Staffl

Another one down; two to go. The Wicked + The Divine is ending, and every god has his or her part to play: falling into line or choosing another path. Every god is discovering new possibilities as the final battle, the final showdown, comes nearer and nearer. The figures on the chessboard are falling into their places or being thrown off the board entirely. Nevertheless, the end is coming.

Manipulation can only go so far if you are a god because the truth can never be truly hidden — just as the sun and the moon. Especially if you are a god, the truth will find you, or you have to search for it with everything you got. Otherwise, why be a god at all?

On the other hand, people say that power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. But as a god — If you can do anything — why follow someone who promises you even more? What more can you get, when already possessing the ability to do and be as you please? Two years is a short time, and using them wisely can be hard — especially when knowing so little about yourself. But can you trust a mentor who claims to have all the answers,has seen and done everything?

Then again, in 6000 years one witnesses the birth and death of entire cultures and civilizations. Gods are there when in Mesopotamia the first cities rise, when the library of Alexandria burns, or Genghis Khan rules the world — witnessing wars, deaths, plagues, and corruption, as well as the progress of science and technology, democracy, and society. In all this time one has to become a master manipulator if nothing else. One has to learn everything there is about people and how to bend them to your will.

However, the constant pressure to succeed will eventually break you. All it takes is one small mistake, one tiny misstep, and the house of cards you have carefully built for yourself falls into pieces. And it was all for nothing.

The other side of the equation makes plans as well. Always new ones. With each iteration there comes a new generation with a new, fresh perspective. No old strings and ideas are holding them back — plans to end a cycle that has repeated itself countless times. The fight, the arguing, the battles for the variables have stopped. Everyone has chosen. Everything has to lead to this point. Four heads are needed to repeat the cycle once more — just one to end it forever. The darkness may come after all. Life goes on?

The Verdict: Buy it.

In the final issues, everything comes onto the stage. Everyone has to play their role. Surprises and twists are inevitable. Nothing is true; everything is permitted. The divine are corrupt; the wicked are hopeful. Who will remain in the end has yet to be seen.